The Social Dimension of Regional Integration in ECOWAS

(even beyond workers and employers) in the integration process. The modified WAEMU
treaty of 2003, on the other hand, makes no reference to the idea of social dialogue and
gives only minimal treatment to matters of employment. 19
The organizational divide is even apparent in the work of the ILO in the sub-region where
it has pursued initiatives with WAEMU as part of its technical cooperation project on
promoting social dialogue in francophone Africa (PRODIAF). ILO activities on social
dialogue with ECOWAS, by contrast, have been minimal. Coincidentally, efforts toward
strengthening the capacity of the WAEMU social partners should help them become more
familiar with regional issues and strengthen their ability to participate at the ECOWAS
level. But focusing on WAEMU is no substitute for more targeted action with the broader
regional leadership and institutions of ECOWAS.
3.2 The Revised ECOWAS Treaty
The revision of the ECOWAS treaty in 1993 marked an important change both in the
structure and the character of West African cooperation. There was a shift to a more
“people-centred organization” as opposed to the “overly bureaucratic inter-governmental
agency of the past” (Aryeetey 2001: 16), reflecting a new model of integration that was
then taking shape in the African political consciousness. In fact, two years earlier in Abuja
in the same spirit of regional renewal, African leaders signed into being the African
Economic Community, acknowledging that integration on the continent up to that point
had been unable to deliver on its economic promises.
It [was] no longer a narrow trade agreement aimed at expanding trade flows within
the continent arising from the liberalization of trade and exchange regimes.
Fundamentally, it [was] conceived as a long-term development strategy based on a
collective self-reliance leading to an autonomous and self-sustained development.
The Abuja Concept of integration [was] a holistic approach which [aimed] to
integrate economic and non-economic sectors, build new institutions consistent
with a self reliant development process, uphold democratic principles and foster
new social and cultural values (ADB 2000: 166)
A comparison between the two generations of ECOWAS treaties clearly demonstrates this
change of tack. The 1993 version includes many areas of focus never before included in
the early aims of the Community. Whereas the founding treaty leaves out issues of
employment entirely, the updated instrument is much more attentive to recognizing
workers as participants in the integration process and as beneficiaries of economic
integration. The aims of ECOWAS laid out at the beginning of both treaties include – in
the revised instrument and its predecessor alike – the goal of raising living standards for
people in the region. 20 However, the list of objectives was expanded in the 1993 Treaty to
include for the first time a provision for the strengthening of relations and better sharing of
19 Nonetheless, in accordance with its 2003 Annual Report, the WAEMU Commission planned to
undertake preparatory activities at the beginning of 2004 leading to an eventual decision by the
Union on a framework for tripartite social dialogue. And, despite the limited treatment of social
policy matters in the WAEMU Treaty, the Commission includes a Department of Social
Development with a mandate embracing higher education, professional training, health, the
promotion of the role of women in regional integration, art, culture and new technologies. See also
Social Dialogue and Democratic Participation below.
20 Ibid, Art. 3(1).
Working paper No. 49 9